Mounting bracket for hydraulic cylinders

ABSTRACT

A mounting bracket for attaching a hydraulic cylinder to a supporting frame including a housing rigidly secured to the frame and having a cylinder connecting pivot pin bore formed therein and a substantially closed chamber for receiving a flexible fluid hose which extends from a passage in the frame outwardly through an opening in the housing to the hydraulic cylinder with the housing shielding the fluid hose to prevent damage thereto.

United States Patent [191 Anderson et al.

MOUNTING BRACKET FOR HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS Inventors: Rodney H. Anderson, Naperville;

John R. Muntjanofi, Aurora, both Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, 111.

Filed: Jan. 20, 1972 Appl. No.2 219,486

US. Cl 172/801, 37/DIG. l0, 37/117.5, 172/452 Int. Cl E021 3/76 Field of Search 172/413, 417, 491, 172/801-809; 37/l17.5, DIG. 10

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,923,412 8/1933 Bacon 172/801 6/1939 Austin 172/804 5/1954 Reuter et al. 172/807 Dec. 11, 1973 2,723,039 11/1955 Stueland 172/805-X 3,521,713 7/1970 Spanjer et al.... 172/809 X 3,539,021 l1/1970 Campen et a]... 172/803 3,543,867 12/1970 Smemo et a1. 172/801 3,565,181 2/1971 Bahm et a1 172/491 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant ExaminerPaul T. Sewell Attorney-Paul S. Lempio ABSTRACT A mounting bracket for attaching a hydraulic cylinder to a supporting frame including a housing rigidly secured to the'frame and having a cylinder connecting pivot pin bore formed therein and a substantially closed chamber for receiving a flexible fluid hose which extends from a passage in the frame outwardly through an opening in the housing to the hydraulic cylinder with the housing shielding the fluid hose to prevent damage thereto.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures vmminnscn 197s 3.777.824

sum 10! 3 1 MOUNTING BRACKET FOR HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many forestry vehicles, such as log skidders, have a blade mounted on the forward end thereof and a hydraulic cylinder connected between a support frame of the vehicle and the blade for adjusting the elevational position of the blade relative to the vehicle. Flexible fluid hoses extend between the support frame and the hydraulic cylinder to communicate hydraulic fluid from a pump on the vehicle to the cylinder. Sufficient slack is provided in the hoses to accommodate rotational movement of the cylinder about its pivotal mounting during elevational adjustment of the blade. The hoses extending between the frame and the cylinder are usually exposed andsubjected to extreme abuse during operation of the skidder in brushy areas. Such exposure causes frequent failures resulting in considerable downtime of the vehicle while the hoses are repaired. Also, since the hydraulic cylinders support the blade in the elevated position, failure of a hose would allow the blade to drop unexpectedly and could-result in a serious accident if the vehicle is traveling at any appreciable speed.

Some attempts have been made to add a bolted-on hose guard to cover the hoses extending between the frame and the hydraulic cylinder. However, those arrangements still leave a considerable length of hose exposed between the guard and the jack.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved mounting bracket for attaching a hydraulic cylinder to a support frame.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mounting bracket which fully encloses and protects the fluid hoses extending, between the frame and the hydraulic cylinder to prevent damage to the hoses by brush, sticks and the like normally encountered in forestry or construction operations.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon reference to the accompanying drawings and following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a mounting bracket embodying the principles of the present invention mounted upon a support frame of a log skiddertype forestry vehicle.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 2 with portions of the vehicle shown in section.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section through the mounting bracket, taken generally along the line IVIV of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, a mounting bracket embodying the present invention is shown in association with a four-wheeled vehicle 11. The vehicle has a front support frame 12 which includes a pair of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending box-members, one of which is shown at 13, mounted on a front axle 14. As best shown in FIG. 3, a pair of rigid pipes 16 and 17 extend transversely through each box member as an integral part thereof and have their ends projecting outwardly from the box member.

A blade 19 is arranged fowardly of the vehicle and is integrally mounted on the forward ends of a pair of transversely spaced push arms, one of which is shown at 21. Each push arm has its rearward end pivotally connected at 22 to mounting bracket 10. It should be noted that the vehicle utilizes a pair of the mounting brackets of the present invention. with each bracket being associated with a respective side of the vehicle.

Push arms 21 are raised and lowered by a pair of hydraulic cylinders, one of which is shown at 23, vertically aligned with and disposed above its associated push arm to adjust the elevational position of blade 19. The hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to mounting bracket IOand-to blade 19 by pivot pins 24 and 26, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, each mounting bracket 10 is rigidly secured as by welding or the like to its associated box member 13 of support frame 12 forwardly of axle 14. The bracket is constructed in the form of a box-like structure which is fabricated from a plurality of'plates fastened as by welding or the like into an integral housing 27 having a hollow chamber 28 defined therein. The bracket has a bifurcated projection 29 which extends forwardly from the upper forward corner of the bracket. A pin 31 or first means forming a pivotal connection extends through the projection to receive pivot pin 24 of hydraulic cylinder 23. A projection 32 extends downwardly from the bottom of the bracket and has pin 22 of a respective push-arm 21 rigidly secured thereto.

Each bracket 10 includes a lower inner side plate 33 which abuts box member '13 and has a pair of apertures 34 (FIG. 4) extending therethrough in alignment with pipes 16 and 17 to permit the pipes to extend into chamber 28 of housing 27. An upper inner side plate 36 has its lower edge joined to the upper edge of plate 33. An outer cover plate 37, having a lower portion forming a lower wall 38, is spaced outwardly from plates 33 and 36.

The lower wall is angled downwardly and rearwardly at a compound angle and terminates at a lower rear edge 39 (FIG. 4). A rear wall 41 is disposed between the inner plates and the outer cover plate and has a lower edge 42 which is spaced above lower rear edge 39 and cooperates therewith to provide second means forming a material discharge opening 43 therebetween, adjacent to apertures 34 and substantially below and rearwardly of pivotal connection 31. The rear wall has a continuous, forwardly extending portion forming an upper wall 44 which includes a downwardly extending arcuate portion 46 having a lower edge 47. A forward wall 48 has an upper edge 49 spaced below edge 47 to provide third means forming an opening 50 therebetween, adjacent to and below projection 29 and diametrically opposed to opening 43.

As best shown in FIG. 4, a pair of flexible fluid conduits or hoses 52 and 53 are disposed within chamber 28 of housing 27 and respectively extend between pipes 16 and 17 (FIG. 3) and hydraulic cylinder 23 to communicate hydraulic fluid thereto and therefrom. A pair of hose adapters 54 are individually secured to one end of each hose and are connected to the pipes. The hoses extend upwardly from the adaptersvin an arcuate loop and pass through opening 50'to have their opposite ends individually secured to a pair of adapters, one of which is shown at 56, connected to the lower side of the hydraulic jack.

The arcuate loops in the hoses provide sufficient slack to accommodate the rotation of the hydraulic cylinder about its pivotal connection 24 to the bracket from-the solid line position to the position indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 4. Opening 50 is sized to'provide sufficient clearance for the adapters and hoses extending therethrough and thus will allow some debris, such as loose pine needles and small twigs, to fall into the chambeL-The straightening, downward movement of the hoses during rotation of the hydraulic cylinder tends to work or push such debris toward and out of discharge opening 43 so that the chamber is substantially self-cleaning.

In view of the foregoing, it is readily apparent that the structure of the present invention provides an improved mounting bracket for attaching a hydraulic cylinder to a support frame and for providing a protective shield for the fluid hoses connected to the hydraulic cylinder to prevent damage to the hoses by brush, sticks, limbs, etc., encountered in forestry operations. As mentioned above, bottom wall 38 of the mounting bracket is slanted downwardly toward a material discharge opening 43 to cooperate with the flexing of the hoses to shed rain and loose pine needles which inadvertently enter chamber 28, through upper opening 50.

While the invention has been described and shown with particular'reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention which is not intended to be limited, except as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A vehicle mounting bracket comprising; a housing defining a substantially closed chamber therein, first means forming a pivotal connection on a forwardly disposed portion of said housing, a support means pivotally mounted on said pivotal connection movable from one position to another, second means forming a first opening through a rearward wall of said housing disposed substantially below and rearwardly of said pivotal connection, and third means forming a second opening through a forward wall of said housing disposed closely adjacent to and below said pivotal connection and diametrically opposed to said first opening,

' said openings being of a size permitting debris to enter and exit, at least one flexible hose mounted in the chamber of said housing to normally form an arcuate loop extending upwardly and forwardly from said first opening to said second opening, said loop having one end fixed adjacent said first opening and its other end connected to said support means and spaced from the pivotal connection thereof whereby the movement of said support means will cause the extension and straightening of said hose to urge debris entering through said second opening and trapped in said chamber downwardly toward said first opening.

2. The mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein said sup- 4 port means .includes a hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted by said pivotal connection on said bracket with said other end operatively connected at a forward end thereof to said cylinder.

3. The mounting bracket of claim 2 wherein an inner side plate of said housing is secured to a frame member of a ground-engaging vehicle.

4. The mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein said bracket further comprises a second pivotal connection secured on a lower end of said housing...

5. The mounting bracket of claim 4 further comprising a hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted on said bracket by said first-mentioned pivotal connection and a push arm of an earthworking implement pivotally mounted on said bracket by said second pivotal connection.

6. The mounting bracket of claim 3 further comprising a bifurcated projection secured to a forwardly disposed upper corner of said housing and wherein said connection means comprises a bore extending through said projection.

7. The mounting bracket of claim 6 wherein said housing further comprises an outer cover plate spaced from the inner side plate, and a plurality of walls secured between said inner side and outer plates.

8. The mounting bracket of claim 7 wherein one of said walls is a forward wall having an upper edge and another of said walls is an upper wall having a forward edge spaced from said upper edge to form said second opening.

9. The mounting bracket of claim 8 wherein one of said walls is a rearward wall having a lower edge and another of said walls is a lower wall having a rearward edge which is spaced from said lower edge defining said first opening therebetween, said lower wall being angled downwardly toward said first opening to permit debris and other extraneous material to gravitate downwardly toward said first opening.

10. The mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein said housing forming the chamber includes an inner plate secured to said vehicle frame, said inner plate having an aperture extending therethrough and coinciding with a passage in the vehicle frame permitting the fixed end of the loop to be connected to another vehicle hose, an outer cover plate spaced from the inner plate, and a plurality of walls secured between said inner and outer plates.

11. The mounting bracket of claim 10 wherein one of said walls is a forward wall having an upper edge and another of said walls is an upper wall having a forward edge spaced from said upper edge to form said second opening in the body adjacent to the support means.

12. The mounting bracket of claim 11 wherein one of said walls is a rearward wall having a lower edge and another of said walls is a lower wall having a rearward edge which is spaced from said lower edge defining said first opening therebetween, said lower wall being angled downwardly toward said opening to permit debris and other extraneous material to gravitate downwardly toward said opening. 

1. A vehicle mounting bracket comprising; a housing defining a substantially closed chamber therein, first means forming a pivotal connection on a forwardly disposed portion of said housing, a support means pivotally mounted on said pivotal connection movable from one position to another, second means forming a first opening through a rearward wall of said housing disposed substantially below and rearwardly of said pivotal connection, and third means forming a second opening through a forward wall of said housing disposed closely adjacent to and below said pivotal connection and diametrically opposed to said first opening, said openings being of a size permitting debris to enter and exit, at least one flexible hose mounted in the chamber of said housing to normally form an arcuate loop extending upwardly and forwardly from said first opening to said second opening, said loop having one end fixed adjacent said first opening and its other end connected to said support means and spaced from the pivotal connection thereof whereby the movement of said support means will cause the extension and straightening of said hose to urge debris entering through said second opening and trapped in said chamber downwardly toward said first opening.
 2. The mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein said support means includes a hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted by said pivotal connection on said bracket with said other end operatively connected at a forward end thereof to said cylinder.
 3. The mounting bracket of claim 2 wherein an inner side plate of said housing is secured to a frame member of a ground-engaging vehicle.
 4. The mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein said bracket further comprises a second pivotal connection secured on a lower end of said housing.
 5. The mounting bracket of claim 4 further comprising a hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted on said bracket by said first-mentioned pivotal connection and a push arm of an earthworking implement pivotally mounted on said bracket by said second pivotal connection.
 6. The mounting bracket of claim 3 further comprising a bifurcated projection secured to a forwardly disposed upper corner of said housing and wherein said connection means comprises a bore extending through said projection.
 7. The mounting bracket of claim 6 wherein said housing further comprises an outer cover plate spaced from the inner side plate, and a plurality of walls secured between said inner side and outer plates.
 8. The mounting bracket of claim 7 wherein one of said walls is a forward wall having an upper edge and another of said walls is an upper wall having a forward edge spaCed from said upper edge to form said second opening.
 9. The mounting bracket of claim 8 wherein one of said walls is a rearward wall having a lower edge and another of said walls is a lower wall having a rearward edge which is spaced from said lower edge defining said first opening therebetween, said lower wall being angled downwardly toward said first opening to permit debris and other extraneous material to gravitate downwardly toward said first opening.
 10. The mounting bracket of claim 1 wherein said housing forming the chamber includes an inner plate secured to said vehicle frame, said inner plate having an aperture extending therethrough and coinciding with a passage in the vehicle frame permitting the fixed end of the loop to be connected to another vehicle hose, an outer cover plate spaced from the inner plate, and a plurality of walls secured between said inner and outer plates.
 11. The mounting bracket of claim 10 wherein one of said walls is a forward wall having an upper edge and another of said walls is an upper wall having a forward edge spaced from said upper edge to form said second opening in the body adjacent to the support means.
 12. The mounting bracket of claim 11 wherein one of said walls is a rearward wall having a lower edge and another of said walls is a lower wall having a rearward edge which is spaced from said lower edge defining said first opening therebetween, said lower wall being angled downwardly toward said opening to permit debris and other extraneous material to gravitate downwardly toward said opening. 